[Stevek_73]

Hi guys,
First post so apologies if I'm in the wrong group.

I'm currently driving an Audi Q5 which I cannot fault and have loved. It's now 5 year old and I've had it for a little over two years but thought I'd part ex it when it still commanded a good return, and after test driving Audi and Bmw I have opted for a rather nice 24 month old F31auto M Sport with X drive. The drive was lovely and felt really tight, and I was surprised by the difference between eco sport etc.
I'm really after some advice as to what I can expect and look forward to with my new drive. Also after any info or links on the professional navigation and how to get the most from it along with the apps and concierge services.. ....Which I know nothing about. It also has adaptive lighting which I'm hearing good reports on and would value your pointers on.
Finally will it have a hard drive as my Audi? As I'm curious how I can download music to it.

Thanks guys

[tjlees]

Welcome!

You will find the handling and performance excellent when compared the audi IMHO. You should average around 55+ mpg if you are reasonable with the throttle and keep it legal-ish on the roads.

The adaptive headlights are unbelievable especially if you have the high beam assist - well worth the money.

Yes it should have a hard drive and once you put the cd in you have the option of adding it to your library

[Sharp_Cai]

Never drove an Audi before... Can't tell the difference.

[spuntyb]

Cheers, and welcome to the Bimmer and F31 club!

[ND40oz]

You're going to notice the center of gravity height difference the most, but you'll also give up the higher seating position. A lot of things are going to depend on the specs of the two vehicles but it sounds like your F31 is pretty well spec'd, I really like the HUD and surround view on mine, which wasn't available with my SQ5.

[Versipellis]

I had some folks I knew who were in the market for a new SUV and wanted my unbiased advice as a car guy. We test-drove the Q3 and Q5. I said yucks to the steering (its driving and handling made the complaints of the F3x losing its feel of the road seem like babies whining) and told them to get a BMW.

[the_phew]

F31 really makes the Q5 seem pointless. It's faster, more efficient, more cargo room, and cheaper when comparably equipped.

The only thing you give up is the high seating position (with easier ingress/egress), which is admittedly convenient for geriatrics and the disabled. If you don't fall into either category, F31 is a damn-near perfect vehicle. If they sold it with a manual, I'd own one.

[ND40oz]

Originally Posted by the_phew

F31 really makes the Q5 seem pointless. It's faster, more efficient, more cargo room, and cheaper when comparably equipped.

The F31 feels considerably smaller then the SQ5 when it comes to cargo and passenger space, at least when it comes to my usage. I can fit my 2 car seats in the SQ5 and still fold down the other 40 split side, I cannot do that in the F31. Behind the rear seats, the cargo area size difference is noticeable as well, I like the divider net in the F31 and the rollaway cover better though.

As for it being faster, lol.

[the_phew]

Originally Posted by ND40oz

As for it being faster, lol.

I said Q5, not SQ5. The gas wagon is substantially faster than the gas Q5, although the Q5 diesel is of course faster than the F31 diesel; an extra liter of displacement and two cylinders has that effect.

[ND40oz]

Originally Posted by the_phew

I said Q5, not SQ5

3.0T Q5 does 0-60 in 5.5 seconds and the TDI does it in 5.8, they're not exactly slow either.

[the_phew]

Originally Posted by ND40oz

3.0T Q5 does 0-60 in 5.5 seconds and the TDI does it in 5.8, they're not exactly slow either.

OP's Q5 is 5 years old, so it's either a 2.0T or a 3.2 (they didn't sell the 3.0T back then).

[ND40oz]

Originally Posted by the_phew

OP's Q5 is 5 years old, so it's either a 2.0T or a 3.2 (they didn't sell the 3.0T back then).

OPs Q5 is most likely a diesel given that he's in the UK. I rarely saw petrol Q5s during the 3 years I lived there.

[the_phew]

Originally Posted by ND40oz

OPs Q5 is most likely a diesel given that he's in the UK. I rarely saw petrol Q5s during the 3 years I lived there.

Ah, missed that. Didn't they get a 2L diesel in the European Q5? We had a current-gen Touareg TDI with the 3L, and it hauled that 2.5 ton tank effortlessly, while returning 25-30 MPG. I'm not surprised at the diesel's popularity.

[ND40oz]

Yup, they got both from the get go, I wish howmanyleft could tell you the engine size based on the registration. TDI's seem to dominate but the TFSI makes a stronger showing then I expected.

https://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/?page=1&q=Q5

[Stevek_73]

Thanks for the warm welcome guys, and for your comments.sounds like I've made a good choice,
tijlees - yeah it's got hi beam assist with the adaptive headlights and I'm smiling at the circa 55 mpg, as the Q5 is giving me 34 round the doors and 41 on a run.
ND40oz, I did have a concern about drive position but it didn't take long to get used to the difference. I drove an A6 avant black edition, but the 320 just felt much smoother , much tighter on changes.

What about the pro nav......is there any good links so I can read up prior to collection on Friday

[tjlees]

Originally Posted by Stevek_73

Thanks for the warm welcome guys, and for your comments.sounds like I've made a good choice,
tijlees - yeah it's got hi beam assist with the adaptive headlights and I'm smiling at the circa 55 mpg, as the Q5 is giving me 34 round the doors and 41 on a run.
ND40oz, I did have a concern about drive position but it didn't take long to get used to the difference. I drove an A6 avant black edition, but the 320 just felt much smoother , much tighter on changes.

What about the pro nav......is there any good links so I can read up prior to collection on Friday

Get the dealer to show these to you - much easier!! Its a user manual job otherwise or lots questions on here!

see http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/Owner/dgh.aspx
or http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Conte...modelcode=15TI either download the manual or play the vids

Also get the dealer to show GPS tracking and remote control setup on your phone. Never thought these would be useful - but they are!

[Stevek_73]

Hi guys,

Picked up the touring on Friday. And drove back from a dealer in Yorkshire, so by the time I got back id just about got familiar with basic functions on idrive lol.

I must say the first impressions are very good. I was a bit gutted to get rid of the Audi but the drive on this is exceptional, it just sticks and turns so well, plenty power on tap and great return. Coming back on Friday night I got 61mpg....going down the Q5 gave me 43 and coming and going to work the last couple of days I'm getting 45mpg....the Q5 gave me 35, so we'll pleased.

It's early days but it seems to do everything so well, and it's much smoother on the 19's than the Audi was on the 20's.

Minor niggles would be the dials don't seem to be backlite with lights on auto with Drl on,and you don't seem to be able to put your trip average up on the display next to the black dial display, you can bring up your trip but it's not average trip, average trip just seems to be displayed in idrive menu.....as I say minor stuff, and it's got features the Q5 didn't so swings and roundabouts.

Also noticed some machine polishing marks on the bonnet which the dealer said to take down at a time that suits so they can be rectified if need be and the plastic window surround seems to be faded more than I'd expect for a car not quite 2 year old. Salesman said he'd look to rectify under warranty. Apart from That the cars mint outside and not a mark inside or on leather.

What's your wax recomendations for black, I'm just finishing off my Maguires and have just bought some Mer.

Thanks again guys and look forward to getting to know you. :-)

[Thumper333]

Originally Posted by Stevek_73

Thanks for the warm welcome guys, and for your comments.sounds like I've made a good choice,

Anytime you ditch a pointless high riding SUV for a wagon you made the right choice. Unless you like to off road (and then why are you buying a $40k+ SUV that you would wet yourself if it ever got a scratch for off roading) SUVs are mob mentality.

I had a '14 Q5 TDI for 10 months, then swapped it for the S4. The 400ft/lbs of torque was lots of fun, and don't get me wrong it handled amazing for what it was, better than any SUV from America and Japan........but it still felt slightly disconnected and sluggish. Comfortable as heck, cruised the highway getting 40mpg or so, I was just constantly aware it was an SUV. Meanwhile, the F31.......I've taken to the track and thrown it into corners at speed with a smile on my face.

Cargo space. The Q5 does in fact have more cubic feet of cargo, but it comes in the vertical, not linear. The roof is higher so you get that extra space ONLY if you stack things up. So basically, the extra space is rarely used unless you are carrying dressers around LOL

You will have a rougher ride just due to the RFTs.

Black? Most swirls and issues are from drying issues. I use this;

http://www.detailersdomain.com/produ...ersion-2-16-oz

[fshubert]

Welcome to the forum! And congrats on your new BMW!

[mike@x-ph.com]

Welcome !!